Wall Colors that Go with Black Sofas Because coal and charcoal-hued sofas are “go big or go home” design choices, they deserve a place in the limelight. There’s no better way to showcase their profiles than by using a high-contrast wall color. But before choosing your paint color, formulate a color palette, then carry a version of one of those shades onto the wall. Generally, laid-back paint colors, such as pearly gray, pastel peach, creamy yellow, sky blue, and lighter earth tones allow black sofas to shine, while adding hints of color and warmth to the space....

How to Decorate with Houseplants When decorating with houseplants, there are some things to keep in mind. It’s not just how they look in the room, you have to consider the plants’ care and living conditions. For example, some plants will tolerate low light and thrive in tricky areas like your bathroom, while others need a spot by the window to grow. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you bring more plants home:...

Note: Many recipes call for food to be dredged, then dipped in a liquid (such as eggs or buttermilk) followed by a seasoned coating. This process is breading—more on that below. How to Dredge Food Here’s how to dredge chicken or other food. Spread the coating in a shallow dish, such as a pie plate.Roll the food around in the coating until the food is coated on all sides. Shake off excess....

To espalier, prune to create a main vertical stem, then train the side branches to achieve the desired shape. Depending on the plant, this can take a year or two to establish and requires regular care. Thereafter, an espalier requires only light pruning to hold its shape. Instructions Step 1: Plan your pattern. Espalier fruit trees in a pattern. Fruit trees are often grown horizontally (diagram A) to maximize the fruit set....

Christmas Cactus Care Tips With a little TLC, you can easily get a Christmas cactus to thrive and bloom year after year indoors. Light and Temperature Bright but indirect light is best for a Christmas cactus. It can tolerate a little direct light, but avoid direct light during the summer, when the sun’s rays are stronger and can burn the fleshy leaves. “If the stems begin to turn a reddish-purple color, this is an indication that it is receiving too much sun,” says Alfred Palomares, Resident Plant Dad for 1-800-Flowers....

How to Grow Water Lilies You don’t necessarily need a pond for growing water lilies; they’ll also thrive in a big tub like a stock tank on your patio. They grow from tubers planted in pots beneath the water and send up stems with rounded leaves and star-shaped blossoms that float on the surface. Water lilies bloom in a variety of colors including pink, white, yellow, and red. A good choice for beginners, hardy lilies are dependable and easy to plant....

After all, it’s not just about the food. Pulling it together requires at least one trip to the store (if not more) to ensure you’ve got everything covered. Fortunately, there’s no need to lose sleep over mounting receipts. We asked the experts for the lowdown on how to make Thanksgiving memorable without draining your bank account, and the good news is, it’s easier than you think. Get Inspired When it comes to occasion planning, knowing where to begin is often the hardest part....

Here’s how it works: Organize a group video call and choose an online game to play. There are dozens of interactive games available (like virtual bingo!), and being able to see your friends’ faces as you play will make you feel like you’re right there in the room with them. Here are some of the easiest (and most fun) games our editors have been playing online, along with our recommendations for video calls....

When ordering a window be sure to specify a jamb of the correct width. If your walls have 2x4 studs and 1/2-inch exterior sheathing, the jambs should be 3 5/8 inches wide (the extra 1/8 inch allows for imperfections). For a wall with 2x6 studs, a jamb width of 5 5/8 inches is correct. Unpack the window and inspect it before installing. Make sure all the weatherstripping is in good shape and the mechanisms and sashes operate smoothly....

Fortunately, tackling true topiary on your own is easy, as long as you know the basics. And it costs relatively little. Purchase a 6-foot topiary spiral tree like the one shown and you can expect to pay about $250. But shape one yourself – it takes only an hour or two – and it’ll cost about $50. Read on to learn how. How to Make Spiral Topiaries Spiral topiaries can be large (6 feet or more) or small (just 8x10 inches)....

Stovetop Popcorn Math: ½ cup popcorn kernels will make about 10 cups of popped popcorn. Cover the pan and cook over medium-high heat 4 to 5 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally and partially lifting the lid to let steam escape.When the popping slows, remove the pan from the heat and transfer the popcorn to a serving bowl. Add salt and butter, seasoning blends, and/or candy toppers to your popcorn as desired....

Our Test Kitchen’s top tips on how to make scrambled eggs are simple: Use medium heat, have a little patience, and utilize the lift and fold technique. Stick to those pointers and cook light, fluffy scrambled eggs every time. So grab a skillet and the five basic ingredients, and get cracking! How to Cook Scrambled Eggs on the Stove The five basic ingredients are ones you likely already have on hand: eggs, milk, butter, salt, and black pepper....

The classic technique uses indigo dye to create a blue and white pattern that’s similar to modern tie-dye. While Shibori is typically used as a method of dyeing fabric, the look is easy to recreate on hard-boiled eggs. This spring, take a cue from the colors and patterns of this traditional art form to decorate eggs that will make a bold statement at your Easter brunch. If you use a food-safe dye, the finished eggs are totally safe to eat....

How to Cook Spaghetti It simply comes down to boil, cook, drain, and top, but our Test Kitchen has come up with a few tips and tricks to achieve the best results for making spaghetti. Step 1: Bring Water to a Boil Fill a large pot ($30, Bed Bath & Beyond) with plenty of cold water (use 3 quarts of water for every 4 to 8 ounces of dried spaghetti). If desired, add salt to the water for seasoning....